Happy Hump Day- 10/15/2008

Thanks so much for hanging out with us this morning and make sure you come back tomorrow for more of Carolina Country Cruizin' with Matt and Dee! More winning more fun and keep it rolling with Wheelz 100.5!

A Florida man was arrested at the Tampa airport after Canadian Customs officers contacted officials in the Sunshine State about his dog.  Robert Christianson of Palm Harbor was taken into custody on Sunday when his Delta Airlines flight arrived at Tampa International Airport.  He was wanted on two outstanding misdemeanor warrants for having a dog running at large, and having no license for a dog.  Christianson is free after posting more than 300-thousand-dollars in bail.

Highway 101 in Burlingame, California, has reopened after crews cleared away a jackknifed rig loaded with 12,000 pounds of frozen chicken. The accident happened just after 2 p.m. yesterday when the poultry truck jackknifed and landed on top of a pickup truck. No one was injured, but all four lanes of southbound traffic were blocked for almost an hour.

Blake Shelton's new single, "She Wouldn't Be Gone," takes every ounce of energy he has when he sings it every night in concert. In fact, he often sings it at the end of the show because it wears him out so much. He tells us, "I love that about that song because there will probably never be a time I look back in my life and go, 'I sang that song exactly how I wanted to sing it tonight,' cause it's that hard." The song is the lead single from his upcoming Startin' Fires album, which comes out on November 18th

Gary Allan considers himself a Nashville outsider -- and he likes it that way. He tells Pennsylvania's Erie Times-News, "I never really felt like I fit into this town. I didn't want to be the most popular thing. To me, those are always the flash-in-the-pans. I wanted to come on the scene like a Willie Nelson. I wanted to still be playing when I was 70 years old." As part of his plan to achieve longevity, Gary has been pounding the road pretty hard and changing up his shows about twice a year so fans won't get bored. "I think I've been forcing myself out of my shell, by forcing myself into these big rooms and forcing myself to do things differently." Next stop on the road for Gary is tomorrow in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Alabama’s Teddy Gentry has some ideas on how we can go green. He recommends we “Turn It Off” in a new single with the same title. Gentry compiled a list of items that we should “turn off” when we’re not using them in an effort to save energy. His suggestions include unplugging small appliances, using fluorescent light bulbs, keeping light fixtures and bulbs dusted, and turning off lights, the TV and computers when they are not in use. Gentry also says we should take the stairs instead of elevators, adjust thermostat settings and use the microwave instead of conventional oven.

Jimmy Kimmel, Jesse McCartney and Julianne Hough announced the nominees for the 2008 American Music Awards yesterday. Kimmel hosts this year’s AMAs, which will be held on November 23rd on ABC. Winners will be determined by online voting at www.amavote.com. Votes will be accepted until November 7th. The country nominees are:

Male Artist: Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney and Brad Paisley.

Female Artist: Reba McEntire, Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood.

Band, Duo or Group: Brooks & Dunn, Rascal Flatts and Sugarland.

Album: “The Ultimate Hits” (Garth Brooks), “Still Feels Good” (Rascal Flatts), and “Carnival Ride”(Carrie Underwood).

 

Are Americans Too Dumb To Vote?

There’s been a lot of debate over whether Barack Obama is too inexperienced to lead the country, or whether John McCain is too old to be the next U.S. president. But one question that has been overlooked is: “Are Americans too dumb to make that decision?” The answer may lie in the newest book from National Lampoon, “How Dumb Are You? The Great American Stupidity Quiz,” on sale now. The book contains quiz questions that every U.S. citizen should be able to answer – but often can’t. Prior to publication, the questions were given to a test audience to determine what percentage of average Americans could answer each one correctly. The results were startling:

· 59% of Americans couldn’t find Iraq or Afghanistan on a map.

· 74% couldn’t explain what the Dow Jones Industrial Average is.

· 68% couldn’t identify a picture of Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts.

· 43% couldn’t properly identify two – any two – countries in Africa.

· 48% didn’t know which U.S. document started with the line, “We the people of the United States...”

· 40% couldn’t name a language spoken in Iraq.

· 48% thought the Mojave Desert was located on another continent.

· 71% didn’t know what U.S.S.R. used to stand for.

· 43% couldn’t name the capital of Canada.

· 54% couldn’t even name the president pictured on the dime.

Colorado State Police ticketed a woman for careless driving after she rolled her car while her two cats were fighting in her lap. The cat fight broke out as the woman was driving along Interstate 70, causing her to lose control of the vehicle. The woman’s reckless driving forced another car and a semi off the road. The cats ran off after the dust settled and are still on the lam.

Top Celebrity Military Supporters

The National Defense Examiner has named the Top Celebrity Military Supporters. The list considers how many times musical artists and actors have visited military hospitals, participated in USO tours, as well as other acts that show support for the men and women in the armed services.

1. Wayne Newton, who has recruited other stars for USO tours after the death of Bob Hope. Newton has performed in USO tours in every conflict America has been involved in since Vietnam.

2. Toby Keith, who has participated in six USO tours, where he performed for over 130,000 troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, Belgium, Cuba, Germany, Italy and Kosovo. While in Afghanistan this past April, mortar fire stopped one of Keith’s shows. Rather than ending the show completely, Keith returned to the stage once the fire ended. Keith also allows military members to eat for free at his Oklahoma City restaurant, Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill.

3. Robin Williams, Al Franken and Drew Carey make the list for their participation in several USO tours in war zones. Carey is also a former Marine.

4. Chuck Norris, who has made several trips oversees to visit troops. Norris is also a veteran of the Air Force.

5. Jennifer Love Hewitt, for her vocal support of the men and women in the armed services. Hewitt also regularly visits wounded troops in military hospitals.

A Tennessee man is doing his part to get out the vote for this year's Republican Presidential ticket.  Mark Ciptak has named his newborn daughter Sarah McCain Palin Ciptak.  This was news to the baby's mother, according to the "Kingsport Times-News."  It seems that Ciptak and his wife, Layla, had originally decided to name the baby Ava Grace.  Ciptak tells the paper he named his third child after the candidates to "encourage somebody" and "get the word out about the campaign."  He calls the gesture, quote, "a little token to the McCain Camp."  Ciptak adds that he and his wife are big supporters of the GOP ticket. 

If you have the popcorn, Yahoo has the movies! You can let Yahoo help you pick what movie(s) to watch this weekend or what CD to buy. Just go to Yahoo.com and click on the Movie box in the navigation bar on the left side of the screen. A window offering the latest movies will pop up. Click on one of the movies and you’ll be able to see the trailer and get show times by entering your Zip code. After that, go back to the homepage and click on Music in the navigation box on the right side of the screen. Type in the name of a band or musician in the “Search All Music” box and you’ll land on a page that will let you play full tracks right from the page. You’ll also see links to videos, albums and lyrics.

Mothers across the country are up in arms over Madonna's handgun stilettos.  The pop queen wore the black pistol-heeled Chanel shoes at the screening of her directorial debut, "Filth and Wisdom," in New York City Monday night.  The shoes caught the attention of not only of the media, but the group Mothers Against Murder And Aggression, or MAMAA for short.  Group spokeswoman Lynn Costello calls Madonna "uncaring" for sporting the shoes, saying that society as a whole needs to stop the glamorization of weapons.  Costello added, quote, "Surely she reads the news and realizes that young people are dying every day."  Madonna's "Filth and Wisdom" opens in select theaters this Friday, October 17th.

Dozens of Wisconsin Motorists Get Gas for 35 Cents After Mistake

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

 

WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. —  Sure, gas prices have come down lately. But to 34.9 cents a gallon?

That's what Kelly Joosten and dozens of other motorists paid at a Citgo station Monday. The sign advertised $3.43 for a gallon of premium fuel, but the pump cost read $0.349 a gallon.

"That was amazing," said Joosten, who normally spends about $100 to fill up her 1998 Ford Expedition.

Joosten proudly showed off her receipt for 25.36 gallons at $8.85. She said she saw other motorists filling gas cans, too, at the discounted price.

Station owner JP Raval says the attendant on duty couldn't figure out why the station was suddenly so busy.

Raval estimated 30 to 40 customers fueled up at the incorrect price — between 200 and 300 gallons worth — for about 90 minutes.

"People kept coming, so fast," Raval said. "Everything was crowded; it was like a fairground."

Taylor Swift, who's known for wearing flirty sundresses paired with cowboy boots, is seeing her fans copying her signature style. She tells the Chattanooga Times Free Press, "It was awesome. I was so flattered by that. I think it's the coolest thing in the world." Taylor hopes to someday design her own line of clothing -- starting with a line of sundresses. She already has an "in" with the fashion world. She's already stars in ads for L-E-I Jeans. 

Tim McGraw wants his fans to know he had no involvement in his most recent greatest-hits package. Tim has been working on a new C-D and wanted to release it this fall, but his label went ahead with the hits compilation instead to trigger an extension clause in his recording contract. Tim insists he loves the music and all those who were involved with making it, but finds it embarrassing to release a greatest-hits collection when he's only had one studio album since his last hits C-D. Tim says, "In the spirit of the election year, I would simply say to my fans, 'I'm Tim McGraw and I do not approve their message.'" One project that Tim is completely behind is his children's book, My Little Girl, which comes out next Tuesday.

Miley Cyrus has finished writing her memoir at the age of 15. The “Hannah Montana” star was reportedly paid a seven-figure sum to tell her “inspiring story.” Cyrus has also said she wants to return to the show for a fourth season, “but we’re not sure so right now we’re just getting through season three.

Miranda Lambert has always loved songs that convey emotional honesty, and that inspired her new single, "More Like Her." 'Ran says, "I feel like...everybody that hears it will know that it's me telling my story or a story that's personal to me." Miranda has two C-M-A Awards nominations -- Female Vocalist and Song of the Year, for "Gunpowder and Lead."

Mel Gibson has turned down the chance to star in another “Lethal Weapon” movie, destroying hopes for a fifth film in the franchise. Warner Bros thought they could convince Gibson and co-star Danny Glover to reprise their roles 10 years after the last “Lethal Weapon” movie. But Richard Donner, who directed the first four films, says Gibson turned down the offer.

A Sioux City, Iowa, man is paying a hefty price for stealing two cases of beer from a gas station. Evan Lyons, 29, has been sentenced to two consecutive 15-year prison terms for first-degree theft and assault while participating in a felony. In both instances, Lyons was charged as a habitual offender. According to court documents, Lyons robbed a Kum & Go in Sioux City on August 19th, assaulting a store clerk and running off with two cases of Budweiser. Lyons has also been ordered to pay $37.72 restitution to Kum & Go. He pleaded guilty to the charges as part of a plea agreement.

Forget rain, sleet or snow -- the bite of a venomous snake didn't keep mail carrier Efrain Arango from his appointed rounds. What authorities think was a diamondback rattlesnake latched onto the 66-year-old's left index finger Friday morning after Arango surprised it in a New Tampa, Florida mailbox. Arango said he shook his arm and thwacked the small snake against his car door to break its grip. Then, with his fingertip bruised and bleeding, he delivered packages for about 30 minutes before seeking help at the New Tampa Post Office, where a supervisor called 9-1-1. Arango said he kept working immediately after the bite because his symptoms developed slowly, which Pittman said is common. By the time Arango returned to the post office, "my arm was like a fire inside," he said.

Charles and Penny Carle of Cupertino, California, are hoping someone will return the missing desert tortoise that has been a family pet since World War II. Butch the Tortoise went missing from the Carle’s yard last month. He was given to Charles’ parents in 1943 as a gift. The Carles believe someone turtle-napped Butch, who is estimated to be 150-years-old.

Police evacuated part of a San Francisco high-rise Monday after a man angry that he had been turned down to appear on The Price Is Rightwalked into a law office wearing a blinking device that he described as a bomb, authorities and witnesses said. The incident began when a man walked into a law office and indicated to the receptionist that he had a bomb. Police said the man had a device made of a white tube and some sort of flashing light. Anthony McDaniel, facilities manager at the law office, said the man was holding a note and wearing a belt with a blinking light. McDaniel said the man indicated he was angry because he was passed over to appear on the T-V game show. Antonio Scardino, 44, was booked on two felony charges.

Americans are still willing to spend a hefty chunk of change when they die even thought it's getting more difficult to make ends meet while alive.  Funeral industry executives gathered in Florida this week for their annual convention and say people are still happy to dig into retirement plans or cash in a life insurance policy to bid a costly farewell to loved ones.   According to the National Funeral Directors Association, eleven-billion-dollars a year is spent on funeral services by Americans with that figure expected to jump as baby boomers get closer to their final resting place.  They say people are still spending what it takes for funeral services.  

That's it for another Wednesday but don't worry we will be back for a Thursday full of fun and winning with Carolina Country Cruizin with Matt and Dee so join us tomorrow morning! Keep it rolling with Wheelz 100.5!

*Information from Premiere, Dail Global Prep, Fox News, and Metro Networks*